Witness heard 'incredibly loud screeching' before woman's murder

Melbourne's African community is deeply shocked after a young woman was fatally stabbed and left to die in a city apartment. 

Police are tonight hunting a group of young thugs who attacked the 19-year-old from Pakenham. 

In the early hours of this morning, officers were called to the 56th floor of EQ Tower where the young woman was stabbed to death. 

Residents reported horrendous screams coming from a nearby laneway in the hours before her death. 

"I heard these male and female voices screaming," one neighbour told 9NEWS. 

"The girl's scream was incredibly loud, it was screeching.

"Normally I would call the police but they went off down the road.

"But it's not unusual coming from this building. So much goes on in the building in the middle of the night with people drunk."

Twelve of the victim's friends have been questioned by police after witnessing the fatal assault. 

The friends had rented a short term apartment in the building for a party when another uninvited group arrived and a deadly dispute erupted. 

Police say there was a connection between the groups.

Everyone involved in the incident was of African-Australian heritage. 

A middle-aged man, who wished only to be known as Sean, said he had deduced the nature of the woman's presence in the building from conversations with police.

He said short-term stay party-goers, often using drugs, were an ongoing safety problem in the building which is less than a year old.

"This is a tragedy that sadly has been building and building over the last few months," he said.

"Sadly what should have been a celebration has got out of control."

Meanwhile, forensic investigators have spent the morning focusing on a green Honda parked on a street near the building. 

They have taken photos of damage to the side of the car. They have also gone through a rubbish bin pulling out a pair of jeans as potential evidence.

The 65-storey EQ Tower building is popular as a short-term stay destination.

The serviced apartment building rents rooms starting from approximately $125 per night. 

The victim's family has asked for privacy.

African leaders have released a statement saying, "The community is deeply shocked. This is a tragic incident that has cut a young person's life short".

"We will help law enforcement agencies with their investigation." 

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.